Teen Titans and Superman Artist Eduardo Barreto Passes

It has been a truly blue December for comic enthusiasts. With the deaths of Joe Simon and Jerry Robinson within a week of each other, fans never expected another great name to be taken from them so soon. On December 15th, Eduardo Barreto (57) passed away, leaving behind a legacy of art, stories, and an industry working family who will miss him dearly.

Eduardo Barreto hailed from Uruguay and quickly became one of the big names in America as he drew for comic books and comic strips. He was known for his portfolio diversity, his clean lines, and his gorgeous inks. Like all good artists, his works will outlive him, and no aficionado will be able to read one of his stories without remembering him fondly.

Barreto’s Body of Work

From challenging the standards of comics to creating some of the most iconic images in the industry, Eduardo Barreto made great strides in comics. Barreto’s art has appeared in different comics for several rival markets, such as the “big two,” Marvel and DC. His personal work was even published through Oni Press, and for Claypool comics he produced a story about Mistress of the Night, Elvira.

His most well known works was his DC art, particularly his pencils for The New Teen Titans and his inking in Batman. His depiction of the Teen Titan Starfire still holds as the standard from which present artists draw.

Barreto and Superman

Barreto was never afraid to bend the rules. The graphic novels and one-shots he drew for the Superman franchise became some of the most well-regarded novels to this day for their originality. Barreto even updated the Superman costume and gave it a fresh, futuristic look that fit his style.

One of his most notable efforts was a look into Lex Luthor, Superman’s villain, with Lex Luthor, The Unauthorized Biography published in 1989. Barreto’s last published work before his death was a Superman one-shot entitled “Retroactive,” which reached back to a classic comics style circa the 1970s.

The Legacy Lives On

Barreto contracted meningitis in 2010 which abruptly halted his work on Judge Parker, a comic strip which his son filled in for. His daughter also works as a colorist, and the two plan to continue to work in the industry, keeping the family name alive. Though his passing has taken comics by surprise, one only need to pick up one of his gorgeously drawn comics to feel the pride Barreto had in his work. His art will help him be remembered for years to come.